Child Passport

For children under the age of 16 who:

  • Have never had a passport,
  • Have lost a valid passport,
  • Have an expired passport, or
  • Have a damaged passport.

I. Proof of Citizenship

  • Certified Birth Certificate with Raised Seal (must provide)
  • Old Passport
  • If you have both an expired passport and a birth certificate, please use both for verification.

II. Photo Requirements

One passport photo with a white background, that measures 2×2. Eyeglasses can not be worn in the photo.

Ensuring that your passport application is not delayed, it is crucial to carefully review the Photo Requirements. Rejected photos are the most common cause of a delay in passport processing.

To find a Photo Store near you, click here.

III. Establish Parental Relationship

Both parents must provide a valid driver’s license with a photo. A state I D, or a passport.

IV. Parents must provide the child’s Social Security Number.

The parent or parents should provide the child’s Social Security Number, or proof that an application has been made for the child. A social security card is not necessary, but the social security number is required on the DS11 application. If parents of newborn babies do not have a Social Security Number, they can simply write zeroes in the social security data field of the DS11 application.

Note: If one parent is unavailable, then the parent who cannot be present can complete DS-3053: Statement of Consent: Issuing a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16 in front of a notary.

V. Gather and checklist the following documents:

  • A Certified Birth Certificate is required plus the prior passport when you have it.
  • A valid driver’s license for each parent.
  • Two (2) copies of U.S. Government form: DS-11 Passport Application with 2-D barcode (on top left margin of the form).
  • One (1) copy of the airline itinerary or proof of departure.
  • One (1) passport photo.
  • One (1) Client’s Letter of Authorization (signed in black or blue ink, by both parents when available, with the child’s name listed as applicant).
  • U.S. Government Fee: $181.36 Bank Check, US Postal Money Order or Personal Check if it is not a starter or temporary check. Make it out to the US Department of State. Please print the child’s name and birth date on the the check

VI. DS-11 Passport Application Form

Please follow the steps below to complete the form:

  1. Type the DS-11 form online, and download the form as a pdf file.
  2. Make sure the required 2-D barcode is printed on the top left margin.
  3. The form needs to be signed by the child’s parents, and if the child is old enough to sign, they must also sign it before meeting with an Acceptance Agent.
  4. Hand-written applications will not be accepted, so please avoid writing by hand.
  5. When printing the form, only print pages 5 and 6 twice. You may discard the first four pages of instructions.

Print two copies of your typed DS-11 form. One copy needs to be executed and endorsed by the Acceptance Agent, then sealed in a government envelope. The second copy should be clipped to the outside of the sealed government envelope or placed inside the FedEx envelope. If the applicant has lost a valid passport, please also complete the DS-64 form. Please consider if you have applied for and lost a child passport within the last five years.

IMPORTANT: One signed DS-11 Passport Application Form must be sealed INSIDE the government envelope by the Acceptance Agent. Always double-check that the departure date on the DS-11 form matches the departure date on the travel itinerary or travel evidence.

VII. Authorization Letter

Please complete one (1) Letter of Authorization with original signatures.

IMPORTANT: The Letter of Authorization must be filled out and signed by the parent of the child applicant. The name of the child should be inserted into the LOA in black ink. The courier company name should be written in pen in the blank line above where you sign your name at the bottom, using either black or blue ink. Both parents must sign the LOA when available.

VIII. Proof of Departure

Please provide a computer-generated flight itinerary from the airline or a travel agency, a copy of your airline ticket, or a corporate letter if you’re traveling for business. The proof of departure should be within 2 weeks, unless you require a visa. In that case, the proof of departure can be within 4 weeks. Remember to attach two copies of the proof of departure to the outside of the sealed envelope and inside the FedEx envelope.

IX. US Government Fees

For children, the payment to the US Department of State is $181.36. You can pay with a Bank Check or a Money Order. Make sure to print the name and birthdate of the child applicant on the Memo Line of the Money Order or Bank Check. Personal Checks are not accepted. The $181.36 payment includes return Priority Mail to the address on your application, as well as Overnight Shipping and Tracking.

In addition, a separate $35 payment is required in any form and should be made to the Acceptance Agent at the post office or courthouse.

Please Note: If you are using the 2-5 Days Urgent Service in San Francisco, you can only write a $160 Personal Check to the US Department of State if the child’s name and birthdate are printed on the check and match the last name on the application. Otherwise, you must use a US Postal Money Order for $160. Print the child’s name and birthdate on the Check or Money Order. Passports in San Francisco can be picked up at Will Call and will be shipped with FedEx for $50.00.

X. Pay online or Call to Reserve a Courier, Make Payment, and Receive the Shipping Address

To make a reservation for your personal  courier at the Passport Agency,  please call (800) 238-6662.

Payment must be made to 48Hour Passport by credit or debit card only. In order to reserve a time slot with the US Passport Agency, please provide your credit card information. Keep in mind that this payment is non-refundable, as the Passport Agency has limited reservations. Payment is required to secure your reservation and guarantee expedited service. It’s important to note that eligibility for a passport is determined by the US Passport Agency based on proof of citizenship and compliance with the provided instructions.

How quickly do you need your US Passport?

For urgent processing within 2-4 days (plus shipping time), the cost is $499, plus a $21 credit card processing fee.

For rush processing within 5-15 days (plus shipping time), the cost is $399, plus a $21 credit card processing fee.

For safe processing over 3 weeks (plus shipping time), the cost is $299, plus a $21 credit card processing fee.

Please be aware that processing and shipping times are based on business days. Additionally, the State Department and Government fees are not included in the prices mentioned above.

XI. Visit an Acceptance Agent

When applying for a passport for a minor under the age of 16, both parents must visit an Acceptance Agent (AA).

To find the nearest Acceptance Agent to you, whether it be at a post office, courthouse, or library, please check here.

IMPORTANT: Please note that you cannot renew an expired child’s passport. However, you can use the expired child passport and the certified birth certificate as proof of citizenship.

Both the expired passport and the certified birth certificate are required for the application process.

If one parent is not available during the visit to the AA office, the absent parent can complete the DS-3053 form, also known as the Statement of Consent: Issuing a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16, in the presence of a notary. In cases where the parent is deceased, a Certified Death Certificate can be submitted. In cases of divorce, a parent can submit Certified Divorce Papers, which prove full custody. If you have an absent parent and are using the DS3053 form, please inform 48Hour Passport so they can verify the DS3053 for you.

What happens at the AA office?

During your visit to the AA office, the following tasks will be completed by the Acceptance Agent:

  1. You will sign the DS-11 application form, and the Acceptance Agent will then countersign and stamp it.
  2. The Acceptance Agent will record information from your driver’s license and attach a photo of your child to the DS-11 form.
  3. The Acceptance Agent will insert the Certified Birth Certificate or the expired passport into the Envelope.
  4. The Acceptance Agent will also insert the Letter of Authorization and a $181.36 Bank Cashier’s Check or Money Order into the Government Envelope. However, if you are processing the application in San Francisco, the payment will be $160 and must be in the form of a US Postal Money Order or a solid personal check.
  5. If applicable, the Acceptance Agent will also insert a copy of the flight itinerary or a business letter into the Government Envelope.
  6. Once all these tasks have been completed, the Acceptance Agent will hand the sealed Envelope to you. It is important to inform the Acceptance Agent if you plan to use a courier service for the “Hand-Carry” of the sealed envelope.
  7. The “Hand-Carry” rule is outlined in the Acceptance Agent’s rulebook, which they can refer to if unfamiliar with the rule. The purpose of the “Hand-Carry” is to expedite the passport application process.
  8. You will then need to FedEx the sealed Envelope and photocopies to the Courier.

XII. Items Inside the Sealed Government Envelope

The original documents, such as the certified birth certificate and/or old passport, are enclosed in the SEALED GOVERNMENT ENVELOPE. These documents will be returned with the new passport.

Please do not include the second copy of the DS-11 or payment to 48Hour Passport inside the sealed envelope. Keep the copy of the DS-11 separate from the AA who seals the envelope. The second copy of the DS-11 should be placed outside the Sealed Envelope but inside the FedEx envelope.

The items included in the sealed government envelope are as follows:

  • DS-11 Passport Application that is signed and completed with a 2D Bar Code.
  • Certified Birth Certificate, naturalization certificate, or old passport.
  • Photocopy of the front and back of each parent’s driver’s license or state ID or foreign passport.
  • One Client Letter of Authorization filled out with child’s name and signed by both parents.
  • Travel itinerary or company letter.
  • One (1) photo.
  • Bank Cashier’s Check or Money Order made payable to: US Department Of State for $181.36.
  • Child’s name and birthdate must be printed on the check.

Please ensure that the STAMPED SEAL on the envelope remains intact and unbroken. Tampering with or breaking the seal will render the application void, requiring you to start the process again.

The second unsigned DS 11 can be paper-clipped to the OUTSIDE of the SEALED Application Form Envelope. In any case, it must be included in the FedEx envelope. (See section 13 for reference).

XIII. FedEx Shipping

Here is a final checklist for overnight FedEx shipping:

  1. Ensure you have a properly sealed envelope for the U.S. Passport Service.
  2. Include a second copy of the unsigned DS 11 form with the bar code on the top left margin.
  3. Include one copy of your travel itinerary or a company letter.

IMPORTANT: Use the appropriate-sized FedEx envelope or box to securely and safely ship your sealed government envelope and three copies.

For the shipping address to the 48Hour Passport courier and detailed shipping instructions for FedEx, please call (800) 238-6662. Remember, do not use USPS or UPS for this shipment.